Steve and Patrick are currently upgrading a pair of DNA-1s for me. I trust them enough to spend my money on the upgrades based on previous work they have done for me, including an outstanding TLC-1 linestage (the black one pictured on the SMc Audio website) that (after upgrades) beat out about 20 preamps I previously owned, most in the $5-$10K retail price range. One thing about their current amplifier upgrades is that depending on how far you go, the upgrades represent almost an entirely new amplifier. They use new/different circuit boards, larger Plitron low noise toroidal transformers, high-end Lundahl transformers on the inputs (to create balanced inputs while blocking DC and noise), new and better capacitors, and a host of strategic part and circuit upgrades taking advantage of both newer/better parts (such as Jupiter copper foil capacitors), and circuit enhancements they have found to make the amps sound better based on their 20+ years of improving those very amps.
BTW, my other current amps include Clayton M300 monos and a pair of Cary CAD 500MBs. I chose the Claytons over Lamm M1.2 Reference amps and Acoustic Imagery Atsah (Ncore NC1200) monos, based on owning them at the same time and directly comparing them head-to-head. |
@rsf507 "the sonic signature should stay the same" Good point and true. I would add that in addition to extension and clarity, expect lower noise and (in the case of amplifiers) more drive due to the larger transformer. Steve's upgraded amplifiers also tend to have good spatial qualities and he can do certain things to make the sound trend in one direction or another (i.e., warmer/fatter or more detailed....based on parts choices and bias) but, in general, the sonic signature of the upgraded amplifier will be in same family as the original amplifier. IME, McCormack amplifiers are tonally musical with clarity, coherence, drive, and good
spatial qualities, but are not particularly warm sounding. To me, there is a difference between a dense tonality and warmth, with the first adding to musicality and the second taking away from clarity. I need my gear to have dense, colorful, tonal qualities but I generally tire of overtly warm-sounding gear over the long haul. Good advice here from those who cautioned about resale value but on the flip side of that you may have a hard time finding something that sounds as good for anywhere near the price. I know my Claytons sound very good so I will be comparing them directly with the upgraded DNA-1 monos. The result will be more about sonic differences and my preferences than about one amp being objectively better than the other. |
over the last few years he has had some well-healed clients ask him to build them ne plus ultra amps. In the process of meeting their desires he discovered new ways to improve the DNA line.
@hifiman5 and @joecollege are correct, the SMc upgrades have significantly improved over the years due to Steve's work for clients seeking the best possible amplifier he can build. I wouldn't be surprised to see him develop and bring to market a new amplifier independent of the McCormack upgrades, as with his VRE-1C preamplifier. Currently, about the only things they reuse from the DNA amplifiers when performing upgrades (assuming the client chooses the higher/highest level of upgrades) are the chassis, heat sinks, and transistors. They can reuse the transformers but prefer to replace them with Plitron low-noise transformers. They actually don't care whether you send them non-working DNA amplifiers since they can replace everything except the heat sinks and chassis. The project they are currently working on for me will indeed include new custom engraved faceplates that will match the faceplate on my SMc preamp. They offer a variety of colors and engraving options, to meet the desires of their clients. |
To update my post from August, I recently received my new SMc Audio DNA-1 Ultra G monoblock amplifiers and they have been warming up over a week now. To get the ball rolling on the project, I simply sent SMc two used DNA-1 amplifiers I purchased on-line. The upgrades included a new main board designed by SMc Audio and specifically manufactured for them, a large Plitron Low Noise power transformer, new capacitors, many other new parts and connectors, and special wiring. As indicated in my August post, very little remains from the original amplifiers except for the chassis and heat sinks. Steve and
Patrick told me these represent their best work and they sure sound great. I just received the recommended Stillpoint Ultra Minis from Steve yesterday that will replace the original ModSquad Sorbothane footers.
The amps are positioned on SRA platforms that were recalibrated specifically for the weight and footprint of these SMc amplifiers.
This weekend will be my first chance to give the amps a serious listen so I am looking forward to that. |
I never had the stock DNA-1s in my system so I will not be able to compare before and after the upgrade. I have owned a stock DNA-2 and, many years later, a Platinum DNA-2. I also owned the DNA-500 that Peter Moncrieff called "the best solid state amp on the planet."
What I can tell you is that these DNA-1 Ultra G monos definitely better the DNA-500 in every respect and particularly with respect to midrange texture and body and in the high frequencies where the DNA-500 could exhibit a touch of whispiness. The
DNA-1 Ultra Gs have (at least) the same iron-fisted control of the DNA-500 but within the envelope of a more even-handed, tactile, overall presentation. I have owned several really good amps (Class A, AB, and D) and my first impressions are that these SMc monos are right there with the best, plus they have the massive amount of power that my Aerials work best with (something like 600/1200/2000 into 8/4/2 ohms)!
So far, my experience with amplifiers is that the good ones do a couple of things really well. The trick is finding an amp who's strengths best match up with your primary needs based on your system, music, and listening preferences while still playing at a relatively high level in every other respect. |
@cheeg
When I’m listening to a well recorded guitar or piano piece, it’s as though the instrument is in the room with me. Soundstage is excellent too, although it was excellent before.
I am glad you are so happy with your new/upgraded amplifier. I hear the same things with my new SMc monoblocks. I had a chance to run them a little harder for the first time this past weekend and they are even better than what I heard in my initial impressions. They are tonally neutral, neither thin nor thick, yet have outstanding body and tonal saturation. They do dynamics similar to what was said about the DNA-500 - an iron fist in a velvet glove. If it is on the recording, it is just there in my room, no matter how loud or soft, fast or slow, and displaying the proper attack and decay. They do this in an almost understated way because the sound is so natural. The amps seem to be a perfect match for my somewhat inefficient speakers. |
Since you asked, I will be glad to share my thoughts on how the SMc monos
compare with the Class A Clayton M300 monos
but I first want to spend some more time with the SMc monos before posting. In advance of my more specific impressions, I can share that both sets of amps sound excellent in their own way, but they do sound somewhat different from each other and they do
each have their own unique strengths. Below are a few links to reviews of the M300s for those of you who want to know more about the Clayton amps. The Clayton S2000 stereo amp discussed in the IAR review is actually two M300s in one chassis. https://positive-feedback.com/Issue40/clayton_m300.htm https://positive-feedback.com/Issue42/clayton_m300.htm http://www.iar-80.com/page6.html https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/hegel-h30-stereo-vs-clayton-m300-monoblocks There is another glowing M300 review out there that was written by Martin DeWulf at Bound for Sound Report, a former Hi Fi Newsletter (that is no longer published) that covered reviews of equipment without taking any advertising money. I don't think you could find the review on-line but the author thought it was one of the best amps he had heard. |
I see it has almost been two years since my post four down. I am still enjoying the SMc/McCormack Ultra-G DNA-1 monoblocks. They are the closest I have come to amps that display an adequate combination of tone, dynamics, detail, staging and power, without noticable faults. They do a great job of driving my speakers and sound very good with whatever music I play though them.
To the question asked back then by @cheeg , the Clayton M300 monos were outstanding at portraying a realistic tone and dimensionality that was reminiscent of live music, and while I enjoyed them for years their Achilles heel IMO was that they seemed to fall just short of providing adequate dynamics for rock music, at least with my speakers. They were certainly powerful enough but just missed having that speed or urgency that rock music needs to come alive.
Back to the DNA-1s and the question by @djsrubin - I am not sure what would cause an "intermittent power switch issue" but if you have done any DIY at all, you should be able to work with Steve and rewire a new switch on your amp yourself, assuming that is in fact the problem. If you send the amp to Steve, the sweet spot would be to have him perform a full upgrade using the new boards. I believe the whole thing has to come apart to install the gravity base so a full upgrade would seem practical if you can afford it. If you don't have the Plitron transformer, that would also be a worthwhile upgrade IMO, although I heard he may be sourcing his low-noise toroidal transformers from another manufacturer now because of a Plitron availability issue. I suggest talking to Steve about options and costs because the end result would be well worth it IMO.
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@cheeg - I am glad to hear things worked out for you, but after working with Steve and Patrick for years, I am not surprised.
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It hardly matters what happens on the way from your place to SMc Audio, especially if you are getting the works, since they don't use much more than the case, the heatsinks, and maybe the transistors. After the upgrades, Steve and Patrick will pack the amp(s) well for the return trip. The DNA-1 is heavy, especially with the gravity base, but still under 100 pounds and should be safely handled by competent UPS or FedEx drivers. My pair made it back from SoCal to Michigan with no issues and are the black ones pictured on the website. Here is Part 1 of a four part interview that may get you excited about the possibilities. Make sure the boxes are solid and have "Fragile" labels on them. The improvement in sound will be well worth the trip.
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@patrico200 - the process of shipping heavy/expensive audio equipment is not without risk, but there are things that can be done with packaging/shipping to mitigate the risk as discussed by me and others in another thread yesterday. If you are sending Steve amplifier(s) to upgrade, utilize the best packaging you can find for the trip over so he can use the same packaging to send them back to you. See my comments in the other thread about closed cell foam and spacing the equipment away from double wall cardboard boxes, as well as double boxing. You can also discuss your concerns directly with Steve when you schedule the upgrade because he has shipped many of his amplifiers to customers. Good luck.
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